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Just because Purdue is off this week doesn't mean there is no football. Oh no, sirs! Purdue is one of four Big Ten teams sitting at home this week, joining Michigan, Minnesota, and Iowa on the bench. If only we had bye week buddies around to see what shenanigans Jim Harbaugh, Kirk Ferentz, Jerry Kill, and Darrell Hazell could get into.
Northwestern (5-2, 1-2) at Nebraska (3-4, 1-2) Noon, ESPN2
It seems odd having only one noon game, but here we are. The loser of this one is pretty much left for dead in the B1G West and will try to avoid finishing behind Illinois and Purdue. The winner still has an outside shot, especially Nebraska, who has their game with Iowa in its back pocket. A Nebraska loss also puts bowl eligibility in jeopardy, even if they are about 4 plays from being undefeated. Both of these teams are flawed, but the last two weeks the Northwestern offense has completely forgotten how to work. Nebraska 24, Northwestern 14
Wisconsin (5-2, 2-1) at Illinois (4-2, 1-1) 3:30pm, BTN
Is Illinois a good team? That is a question to be answered this week as the Illini host a decent Wisconsin team and both are looking to keep pace with Iowa, though both need the Hawkeyes to lose twice to have any chance at Indy. We have video of Wisconsin's defense last week against Purdue:
I am still going to ascribe to the "Wisconsin is just better than Illinois" theory until proven otherwise. Wisconsin 24, Illinois 17
Penn State (5-2, 1-1) at Maryland (2-4, 0-2) 3:30pm, ESPN
It should be noted that this game is not on campus, but it is being played at the Ravens' stadium in Baltimore. At least Maryland had the decency to sell a home game to still be played in its home state, unlike the time Indiana sold a home game against Penn State to be played in Landover, Maryland. This is supposed to be a rivalry but Maryland might be worse than even Purdue, and that is a fate I wish on no one. Penn State 31, Maryland 10
Indiana (4-3, 0-3) at Michigan State (7-0, 3-0) 3:30pm ABC/ESPN2
Indiana is a chaos team this year and Michigan State has been playing with fire for far too long. I still have no idea how the Hoosiers blew a game they had won at home last week, just like I have no idea how Michigan State is still undefeated. That means this is your most fun game this week because anything can happen. Michigan State blowout? Indiana blowout? 5 overtime classic? Kevin Wilson eats a live chicken at midfield? Mark Dantonio forms a drum circle and becomes one with the universe? Michgian State 38, Indiana 34
Ohio State (7-0, 3-0) at Rutgers (3-3, 1-2) 8pm, ABC
Okay Ohio State, now that the long national nightmare of picking between all-B1G QB options is over it is time to lay the smack down. I think we see a vintage OSU performance where they rip out a team's soul on national TV. Ohio State 45, Rutgers 10